Green light for UK nuclear power
THE UK is to push on with its nuclear plant building plans and let existing reactors run as normal, the government said yesterday after its nuclear watchdog dismissed fears of a Fukushima-like disaster in the UK.
The UK’s position directly contrasts with that of Japan, Germany and Italy, which are re-thinking their nuclear plans after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan sparked the world’s worst nuclear disaster in 25 years.
The report by the chief inspector of nuclear installations Mike Weightman reassured the government that Britain does not face the natural hazards which caused the Fukushima crisis, but told the industry to check its safety procedures against extreme events.
In his interim report, to be completed after a forthcoming trip to Japan, Weightman said safeguards already in place in the UK should protect against even very remote risks.